Cat-facing Insects

cat facing on peach

Biology

True bugs, such as stink bugs, lygus bug and boxelder bug, overwinter as adults and move to orchards when fruits become attractive and other foods (field crops or weeds) are not as abundant.  Feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts.

Symptoms/Damage

Deep pits and sunken areas in fruit; distorted fruits; water-soaked gumming on peach fruit; brown spots in tissue of apples.

Monitoring

Use sweep nets in weedy areas or on orchard borders; inspect fruit for damage.

Treatment Threshold

No threshold determined.

Degree Day Model

None

Management Considerations

Early-season feeding causes fruit distortion.  Injury near harvest causes pits and sunken areas on fruits and lowers fruit quality and storability.